Neva was still considering the matter intently. She had a thorough contempt for Craven Black, and disliked the prospect of being under the same roof with him, but she dreaded still more the publicity that would be given to her application for change of guardians. She remembered her father’s many injunctions to cling to Lady Wynde until her own marriage, or the attainment of her majority. Lady Wynde had not been unkind to her, nor illy fulfilled her duties as chaperon. Neva had actually nothing of which to complain, save Lady Wynde’s proposed marriage. She was a conscientious girl, and she could not decide to throw off the yoke her father had placed upon her shoulders, simply because Lady Wynde had chosen to enter into new relations which were not likely to affect the old. She felt that she was placed in a cruel position, but her duty, she thought, was plain to her. “Well, what is your decision, my child?” asked Sir John Freise paternally. “You are very kind to me, Sir John, and you also, Lord Towyn and Mr. Atkins,” said the young girl tremulously, “and I cannot properly express my gratitude to you for your concern for me. I appreciate all you have said, all that you mean. I own that Lady Wynde’s intended marriage is repugnant to me, and that I cannot understand how her ladyship can take Mr. Craven Black into papa’s place, but I have tried to reconcile myself to the change. And I think,” added Neva, her tones gathering firmness, and a brave look shining in her eyes of red gloom, “that I have not sufficient excuse for appealing to the law to give me a change of guardians. I shall have little to do or say to Mr. Craven Black, and Hawkhurst is large enough for us both. It was papa’s wish that I should remain for a certain period under the care of Lady Wynde, and I cannot forget that she was papa’s wife, and that he loved her. And more,” concluded Neva very gently, “if Lady Wynde is about to contract an imprudent marriage, and if she is likely to know sorrow because of her false step, she will need my friendship when the truth comes home to her. I thank you again, Sir John, Lord Towyn, Mr. Atkins, but I do not think I should be justified in taking the decided step you advise.” “I don’t know but you are right, Neva,” said Sir John. “At any rate, give your ideas of duty a fair trial, and if you change your mind let us know. It is not as if you were going away from us. Mr. Black, finding himself in a quiet, decorous neighborhood, may choose to settle down, and become a better man. We shall see you frequently, and my house will always be open to you, my dear, and my wife and girls will always be glad to receive you as an inmate of our family.” “I shall not forget your kindness, Sir John,” said Neva gratefully. “Miss Neva has always a way of escape from an unpleasant situation,” said the practical Mr. Atkins. “Her marriage will free her from Lady Wynde’s guardianship without publicity of an unpleasant description.” Neva reddened vividly.